Tips, Tutorials & Updates
Practical advice on tech, home maintenance, and the journey of building a local services business. (Plus some "general life stuff" about living in Richmond, Virginia.)
You Don't Need a $5,000 Bed to Sleep Cool in Richmond
8Sleep, ChiliPad, BedJet — the sleep-tech industry wants you to spend thousands to sleep comfortably. But there are easier ways to get that "hotel room comfort" at home.
Read moreA 2x4 Isn't two by four inches: A quick walk through the lumber aisle
All about different kinds of wood you find in the best-smelling section of Lowe's or Home Depot
Drilling is fun
A few random things I learned about using my drill... with a focus on various driver bits
I Have a Closet Full of Video Gear, and I'd Like to Help
Half a dozen YouTube channels and several years of experiments later, I've accumulated a small Best Buy returns aisle of cameras, lights, mics, and software — including the VTuber rigs that let you (or your kid) stream without ever showing your face.
What to Keep and What to Toss (From Someone Who Keeps Too Much)
My parents grew up in post-war Germany, where you kept everything because you might need it. I inherited that instinct — always struggling with what to keep, and what to toss
You Can Do It Yourself. You Probably Shouldn't Do It Alone.
You have the skills. You have the tools. Here's why hiring a helper might make sense even when you don't technically need one.
Why a Software Developer Started a Neighborhood Tech Business
My main qualifications are in cloud engineering and software development. So why am I in your neighborhood fixing routers and setting up printers?
Your Router Just Died and You Need Internet Now: A Calm Guide to a Frustrating Situation
Internet outages feel catastrophic but usually aren't. Here's how to diagnose what's actually broken, what Comcast doesn't mention in their ads, and why I have an embarrassing number of spare routers in my basement.
You Can Take Your Own Passport Photo — And It Will Look Way Better Than the CVS One
Twenty dollars, one take, a hurried store employee, and the lighting of a bus station. There is a better way. The U.S. government even helps you do it.
Changing a Bike Inner Tube: Not Rocket Science, But the First Time Is Something
Inner tube changes are simple once you've done them twice. Getting to twice is the hard part. Also: green slime, nitrile gloves, and the specific hazards of Belt Boulevard.
The Scariest Thing About Plumbing
I'll tell you what it is. But first, let me take you back to a DIY beginner who was genuinely afraid that working on a drain might flood her house.
From One Front Door Key to a Garage Full of Tools: DIY as Applied STEM
Thirteen years ago I bought a foreclosure and couldn't get into my own shed. Today I reach for the reciprocating saw without hesitation. Turns out DIY is just applied physics — and once you see it that way, it clicks.
I Used to Wish Richmond Had an IKEA. Then I Found the Lumber Aisle.
IKEA is clever. IKEA is also pressboard with a shelf life. Once you discover real wood and GRK screws, there's no going back — just a growing pile of boards 'for later'.
5 Simple Tips to Keep Your Computer Running Smoothly
Basic maintenance can extend your computer's life and keep it running fast. Here are five things you can do today.
What is Vibe Coding? A New Way to Build Software
Vibe coding is revolutionizing how people create software. Learn what it is and how you can start building apps with AI assistance.
Welcome to RVA Tech Help
Introducing a truly local tech and home-help business for the Forest Hill, Westover Hills, and surrounding Southside neighborhoods.